Louth Local Property Tax to remain unchanged

Councillors in Louth have voted to leave the Local Property Tax in the county unchanged for next year.

Chief Executive Joan Martin told Louth County Council that by not cutting the rate by 1.5% would give them €140,000 extra at budget time, which could go towards third class roads.

She stressed that the LPT is one of the few areas where additional money can be raised.

The Chief Executive added that the local authority is no financially better off than last year and there are still 'dangers' which could see their finances be worse off - such as the unwinding of emergency legislation relating to payroll costs.

When Independent Cllr. Frank Godfrey asked what the maximum cut of 15% would mean, Joan Martin said although a recruitment process is underway for clerical officers who work on the likes of debt recovery, she would have to seriously consider if she could make those appointments for the first time in ten years - if the maximum reduction was adopted.

The meeting also heard that the amount involves a loss of €1.4m in revenue and for the majority of households it would mean a weekly saving of €0.26.

Two proposals were voted down - Sinn Fein's Alan Cassidy had sought the maximum reduction of 15%, and Fianna Fail's Tommy Byrne had proposed a 1.5% cut.

Independent Cllr. Kevin Callan suggested the LPT be set at the national average.